China Increases Typhoon Aid to Philippines

[grahamw48]

Joe, when I came back from the Philippines in 2003 and found that my wife had found a new man during my absence, I was standing at 'her' front door, homeless, jobless, with a flight bag and £180 to my name...having left 99% my stuff in the Philippines....never to be seen again.

Does that count as being in 'poverty' ?

Booking myself into the YMCA hostel . Poverty ?

Though in shock and despair at losing my family and my home, the next day I went looking for work. I first laid a floor in a company's office, which earned me fifty quid.

I was then offered a job door-knocking for wall insulation and hopefully selling it. Commission-only.

I had no transport, and only construction boots to put on my feet, so I worked locally. My sister gave me a warmer jacket.

That is not easy work, and a lot would turn their noses up at it, but it enabled me to earn some money and start saving for a car and better accommodation so that I didn't have to walk the 3 miles each way to see my son, after having walked all day long too (at the age of 52). Spending time with my son was what kept me going, even though the surroundings in a hostel weren't the best.

I kept working, pounding the streets in all weathers, gradually building up some funds until I could buy an old car and some outings with my boy.

When the duty-free cigs ran out I went to the smoking clinic and got some patches, which enabled me to stop smoking for the next 3 years.

And so it went on, until little by little, working hard every day, including Saturdays, I was able to find a nice little place to rent and some reasonable transport. No work...no money. Always commission-only. No benefits.

So yes, I know what poverty is, and hardship, and making things happen through your own efforts.

[joebloggs]

So yes, I know what poverty is, and hardship, and making things happen through your own efforts.

so if you know what poverty is, you can put a rough figure on what someone would need to survive ?

i take it then having £0 is poverty to you ?

i'm not trying to trick anyone, it seems some people on here are saying there is no poverty in the UK, but when i ask for a rough figure of what you would call poverty no one can answer

[grahamw48]

so if you know what poverty is, you can put a rough figure on what someone would need to survive ?

i take it then having £0 is poverty to you ?

i'm not trying to trick anyone, it seems some people on here are saying there is no poverty in the UK, but when i ask for a rough figure of what you would call poverty no one can answer

Google it Joe.

How the hell would I know what other people need ?

[joebloggs]

Google it Joe.

How the hell would I know what other people need ?

if you don't know what other people need how can you say there is no poverty in the UK ?

GWaPito said many survive on £1.70 a day in the Phils, i just said that a single person would need to have at least £830 a month to survive unless we want people to start living in cardboard boxes on the street and I'm sure none of us want that, then yes you can survive on a lot less.

[grahamw48]

if you don't know what other people need how can you say there is no poverty in the UK ?

GawPito said many survive on £1.70 a day in the Phils, i just said that a single person would need to have at least £830 a month to survive unless we want people to start living in cardboard boxes on the street and I'm sure none of us want that, then yes you can survive on a lot less.

Please show me where I said that Joe.

I didn't plan to get into a silly tit for tat argument over this Joe, because I've better things to do with my time, and all the answers are there for you on the internet as you well know.

The government have set what they and their experienced advisors have deemed to be the minimum income required by either individuals or families in this country.

I check people's benefit documents, income, bills etc every day of the week..in their own homes, as well as chat to them about their circumstances (and reasons for being in 'need'). I also visit working people from all backgrounds every day of the week, and have been doing so since 1977. Before that I worked at the Unemployment Benefit Office.

Friend, I know what I'm talking about, and that's the end of the discussion as far as I'm concerned. Sorry if that comes across as arrogant. It's just the truth.

You can rake around looking for an argument for as long as you like. It isn't happening this afternoon. Google is your friend.

[joebloggs]

Please show me where I said that Joe.

every time I've posted about poverty in the UK you've always posted that their parents find money for cigs, PlayStations and beer

so now your telling me there is poverty in the uk ?

[fred]

if you don't know what other people need how can you say there is no poverty in the UK ?

GWaPito said many survive on £1.70 a day in the Phils, i just said that a single person would need to have at least £830 a month to survive unless we want people to start living in cardboard boxes on the street and I'm sure none of us want that, then yes you can survive on a lot less.

I wish I could once again give you, Joe and Graham a rep but I can't as system wont let me.. I agree with you both at the same time!!
I've seen the locals going through a real tough time this week.. It's hard to explain really, but after watching how the "poor" here react to adversity here actually never fails to amaze me!!

They smile as if everything is almost normal..

Completely different culture and a completely different way at how life is assessed in different parts of the world..
I know this may sound crazy but I've been poor on both parts of the earth..For some strange reason if it ever happened again to me,I woulds choose to be here.. I don't think I would have the guts to be "poor" in England again.

Just sayin..
Fred.

[gWaPito]

I don't think I would have the guts to be "poor" in England again.

Just sayin..
Fred.

Same goes for me. .It perhaps makes me what I am.

I know when I first met Jane I extended my vacations....I could ill afford it but did it anyway. ...you could say we were living like the natives.

I couldn't begin to imagine doing that again here in UK, not at my age. You never forget hard times.

[gWaPito]

it seems some people on here are saying there is no poverty in the UK

Not compared to the likes of The Philippines and China, there isn't.....This is all I was saying Joe

[joebloggs]

Not compared to the likes of The Philippines and China, their isn't.....This is all I was saying Joe

and why is that then gWaPito ?

[gWaPito]

and why is that then gWaPito ?

Possibly something to do with the welfare state ....there's none of that in those third world countries

[joebloggs]

Possibly something to do with the welfare state....there's none of that in those third world countries

i'd give you a rep for that gWaPito but it was a no brainier , so would you rather the welfare system was scrapped and have millions sleeping out in cardboard boxes and living ghetto's

[gWaPito]

i'd give you a rep for that gWaPito but it was a no brainier , so would you rather the welfare system was scrapped and have millions sleeping out in cardboard boxes and living ghetto's

Of course I don't although it would sort out our booming population crisis

[gWaPito]

so if you know what poverty is, you can put a rough figure on what someone would need to survive ?

i take it then having £0 is poverty to you ?

i'm not trying to trick anyone, it seems some people on here are saying there is no poverty in the UK, but when i ask for a rough figure of what you would call poverty no one can answer

In my experience, once you've gone through something like Graham has, the thought of poverty never leaves you. No matter what I earn, it's never enough....I used to dread looking at bank statements and whatnot, I still do even thou I'm doing good..those broke years of the late 70s early 80s must of scared me .........I know I'm not the only one like this.